SIR: Herewith is a report of what concerns my own
command of the recent battles at Murfreesborough, Tenn.
For a clear understanding of the part taken by
this regiment I will, as far as my limited opportunities
allowed me to observe, describe the field of its operations.
At the ford, 1 mile below the turnpike bridge, the river,
whose general course is northward, bends toward the west and
continues in that direction half a mile, when, by a curve at
right angles, it takes its previous northward course, and
continues it for I mile or more to a ford at which the enemy
crossed during the engagement Friday afternoon. The left of
Breckinridge's division and of Hanson's brigade extended to
the river a few hundred paces below the first-named ford. At
the point of the second curve a rocky bluff sets in and
continues to the lower ford, except at a point 600 or 800
yards below, where there is a slight depression. For this
distance the ground is timbered sufficiently to afford
protection to the enemy. The ground rises gradually from
thence 400 or 500 yards to an eminence fully as elevated as
the hill on which Cobb's battery was placed. On the opposite
[side] of and bordering on the river, 300 yards below the
first-named ford, commences a bell of timber about 100 yards
wide and extends nearly to the second bend of the river.
Bounded on the south and west by the river, on the north by
thick woods and partly on the east by a thicket, is a large
field, on rather, two fields, containing between 60 and 80
acres. The field toward the south was covered with tall
weeds, and upon an eminence in it, about the height of the
bluff on the opposite side, a battery was placed and
earthworks thrown up early Wednesday morning. About 400 yards
north of this in the other (a corn-field), was a mound
considerably more elevated, upon which Cobb's battery was
placed and rifle-pits dug. North of this was thick woods
extending up to the river and down it about half a mile to an
old field cleared up to the river. Here the east bank was
high and rocky, but less elevated by 30 feet than the bluff
on the opposite side. At the termination of this field was a
piece of woodland of a wedge shape, extending down the river
about 300 yards and to within a short distance of the ford.
Separating the woodland and old field was a rail fence
running perpendicularly to the river. From this point to the
ford the ground gradually fell away, while the bluff on the
opposite side, though bare of timber, continued nearly the
same elevation to the ford.
Sunday, the 28th ultimo, the brigade commanded by
the late brave and lamented Brig. Gen. R. W. Hanson left the
camp and took position on a ridge opposite the upper ford.
Monday, the 29th, about 2 p.m., the Ninth and
Sixth Kentucky and Forty-first Alabama Regiments and Cobb's
battery moved into the field first described, Company A,
under Capt. C. B. McClaskey, of this regiment, being thrown
forward to the high mound, in connection with a company from
each of the other two regiments. Very soon thereafter they
became engaged with the enemy, when the regiments and battery
were moved forward to and occupied the mound, this regiment
taking position in a thicket 200 paces to the right, the
Forty-first immediately in rear, and Ninth to the left of the
battery, the skirmishers having taken position beyond in the
corn-field. Afterward, about dusk, Company G, Capt. Gran
Utterback commanding, was moved to the left of Company A, but
before getting into position the two companies were attacked
by a large force of the enemy and driven back over the brow
of the hill; but upon discovering the presence of the
regiments the enemy precipitately retreated across the river
and made no further demonstration that night. The regiments
and battery which, previous to the attack, had commenced to
move, were then marched about 400 yards to the rear, leaving
our skirmishers in possession of the hill. Two men of Company
G, and Lieutenant [J. B.] Holman, of Company E, were wounded
in this attack. Subsequently, during the night, this regiment
again moved forward near the line of skirmishers, and about
daylight took position in the thicket above described.
Tuesday (30th) this regiment continued in the same
position, annoyed considerably by sharpshooters and the
enemy's batteries until nightfall, when, being relieved by
the Second Kentucky, it, except the two companies, moved 500
yards to the rear.
Wednesday (31st) the regiment about daylight
occupied the belt of woods before described, in order to
watch the enemy on the bluff opposite and to protect the
battery placed in the field that morning. We remained here
until 3 p.m., and then, exposed to a fire, moved across the
field to the rear of Cobb's battery, which was then under
fire. While in the woods we were constantly exposed to shells
from the enemy, and at one time from our own batteries on our
left, endeavoring, by firing over us, to reach the enemy's
battery farther down the river. While here, 2 men of Company
D, 1 of Company C, and 1 of Company 11 were wounded.
Thursday (1st) the regiment remained in the
vicinity of Cobb's battery. Friday (2d) we occupied the same
position till the afternoon, keeping two companies forward as
skirmishers. Captain [Gran] Utterback and 1 man were wounded,
the former mortally, while daringly opposing the enemy's
skirmishers. He was a brave man and faithful officer. About 3
p.m. the brigade, except the Ninth Regiment, left to protect
the battery, moved by the right flank to within half a mile
of the enemy posted in the strip of woods near the lower
ford, which has heretofore been described. Here the line of
battle parallel to the river was formed, this regiment being
on the extreme left. When the forward movement commenced,
impediments in front made it necessary for this regiment to
move in rear of the Second Kentucky until open ground was
reached, causing considerable effort to regain its right
position. We were also afterward embarrassed by a pond of
water and an impenetrable thicket, causing a movement by the
right of companies to the first for a short distance. Besides
all this, while the line of battle was at first parallel with
the river, at the time of attack the left had been swung
around, so that nearly a right angle was made with the
stream. The line of battle was so much longer than the front
of the position held by the enemy that it was impossible for
the whole force to reach the place of attack simultaneously,
and on that account several of the regiments overlapped, so
that the Second Kentucky, although next to mine on the right,
did not have the full space requisite, yet, as it was, its
left, when swung around, rested near the bluff, precluding
entirely a movement by this regiment any farther in line of
battle. Nevertheless, I preserved the line of this regiment
until the river was reached. Upon reaching the eminence that
hid us at first from the enemy, they were discovered at the
distance of 150 yards, posted behind the fence above referred
to and in the woods. The order having been previously given
by General Hanson, our forces opened fire upon them as soon
as discovered, and, with a shout, moved briskly forward to
the charge, driving the enemy precipitately from the fence
down the river toward the ford. When our line reached the
fence, the alternative for me was either to be left entirely
in rear of our lines and out of the fight, or to move by the
right flank along on the edge of and under the bluff down the
river. The second I adopted unhesitatingly, and was carried
out with such alacrity and bravery by my officers and men
that they pursued the enemy to the ford and even across the
river at the ford. On account of the want of space to
maneuver, and the considerable change of direction that had
to be made to face the enemy, as before stated, some
confusion occurred after reaching the woods, and no line of
battle was kept, and there was great danger from the fire of
our own men. Following my regiment to the ford of the river
as soon as my efforts to stop the firing of those in rear
would allow me, I discovered a large body of the enemy just
in rear behind the crest of the opposite bluff, advancing. A
considerable number of men from the different regiments of
the brigade had by this time posted themselves behind a
picket fence, and were firing on both the advancing and
retreating enemy. A large number of the Yankees were at the
time sheltered behind the bank of the river, displaying the
white flag. Brigadier-General Hanson, on account of his
wound, not being at any time present on the left after the
fight commenced, and knowing that what I supposed was the
object of the attack had been obtained in driving the enemy
out of the woods across the river, I did not hesitate to
order the firing at that point to cease, with a view to form
the men so as to meet the advancing re-enforcements, or to
fall back in good order, which I feared would have to be
done, for the high bluff on the other side of the river gave
the enemy a fearful advantage of position in addition to that
of numbers; besides, about midway the timber we were exposed
to a murderous fire from their batteries. This order of mine
was for the other object of securing the prisoners spoken of
above, who, to the number of at least 100, were captured and
sent to the rear. Before any line could be formed, a heavy
fire from partially concealed infantry and artillery, against
which our firing availed little, was poured in the regiments;
consequently it was impossible to restore perfect order.
I am satisfied that, so far as this regiment is
concerned, and for it only have I a right to speak, the enemy
paid more than double in numbers, though not one tithe in
actual worth, for every one of my men struck. About one-third
of my entire command was killed and wounded, though it is
remarkable, and at the same time gratifying, that of the
great number hurt so few are either killed or severely
wounded. Companies G and B having previously been sent
forward as skirmishers, were not with the regiment. Company
B, however, crossed the river above, and behaved well, as I
learn.
Accompanying this report, and as a part of it, is
a list of all the casualties since the battle commenced.
Where there was so much bravery, zeal, and good
conduct displayed by officers and men of this regiment
throughout, I dislike to discriminate. I cannot, however,
forbear referring to the unflinching courage of
Color-Sergeant Stotts, who carried the standard in the
thickest of the fight until struck down, and to the daring
and fidelity of Orderly Sergt. J. Beverly Lewis, of Company
C, who seized the colors from the wounded Stotts, and with
them rallied and encouraged the men until he fell. Both these
brave men were left wounded on the field.
Adjt. Samuel H. Buchanan, with the chivalry that
ever characterizes him in battle, when Lewis fell took the
colors. There is no more faithful and attentive officer in
camp or gallant man in action. Taking the colors from
Adjutant Buchanan, I called for some one to bear them, when
Private Adams, of Company D, promptly took and bravely bore
them during the rest of the engagement.
Maj. W. L. Clarke behaved with coolness and
bravery, though I can conscientiously say of every officer
and man engaged in the action that he behaved worthy of the
old senior of Kentuckians.
Fully one-half the regiment crossed the river
through water waist-deep, and only fell back when driven by
overwhelming numbers and certain capture threatened them.
The regiment left camp Sunday (28th) with 269
officers and men. By sickness, for want of shoes, and
casualties, the actual number on Friday was 231 officers and
men.
The whole number killed, wounded, and missing
during the entire engagements was: Killed, 2; wounded. 66;
missing, 10; total, 78. Of those wounded, several were
left on the field and at Murfreesborough, and, of the
missing, I fear all are prisoners and some killed or wounded,
for they had all crossed the river, and one of them, Lieut.
E. P. Thompson-the last seen--he, with pistol, was firing on
the advancing enemy. It is due to him to say that, detailed
as commissary, he was not required to go into action, but he
during that week discharged his duties as commissary, and, as
an officer on the field, shared the hardships and dangers
throughout.